Journalism practical

Sunday, 23 April 2023

Report

Journalism Report - Art and Photography museum

This art is by Jyoti Bhatt (who is still alive,btw). It shows a calf in an interior courtyard of a Rajwar house (Sarguja, Chhattisgarh). The image shows a calf resting peacefully on a heap of hay. It sends across a message of peacefulness and comfort. From the way the calf rests, its clear that it is comfortable and content. Being inside a courtyard, the calf is sheltered from heat, cold and rain, setting an atmosphere of safety and security.

This photograph was taken by Bhatt. It features Prema Murthy. It was taken in Baroda, Gujarat in 1960. In the picture, the subject is wearing a bindhi, her hair is parted in the middle and tied back and she is wearing a big necklace. The focus of the photograph is the subject's face, particularly, her expression. Her eyes seem to dance with curiosity. She is amused by something, and wishes to know more about it. The picture addresses the curiosity found within the audience and cleverly brings it to the surface.

Seen above are the Pithora paintings in Rathwa houses in Kawant, Gujarat between 1978 -- 1981. They display intricate patterns with repeating images that narrate a story or incident. The flowers and grass looking structures could be talking about meadows and colourful, springtime blooms. The designs and textures and patterns demonstrate the creativity and skill of the people who have made it. The patterns denote festivals, celebrations, acheivements etc.

Friday, 9 December 2022

Critical analysis : Shraddha Walkar Case

Parameters -

Angle of the news story
Writing\Broadcasting style
Layout
Headline

Print : DH

Online : outlookindia.com

Broadcast : Economic Times

ANGLES OF NEWS STORY ---

Angle 1- Aftab Poonawalla

Aftab, who is accused of the crime, claims to have acted in the heat of the moment. He has promised to cooperate with the police.

Angle 2 - Vikas Walkar (Victim's father)

He had filed a missing person complaint with the Mumbai police at Manikpur Police Station. He did not approve of Shraddha's staying with Aftab.

Angle 3 - Ram Kadam (BJP legislator)

He wrote a letter to Delhi police, urging them to probe into the possible "Love Jihad" angle behind the murder

WRITING STYLE\BROADCAST STYLE ---

The newspapers covering the story narrate it in a formal, informative manner. They put out all the facts and information that they have collected and express it in a simple, comprehendable way. Judging from the severity of the case, the prefered approach is to be short and precise.

Similarly, in broadcast media, the reports only give out accurate data and facts and refrain from referring to any fabricated information. They talk in an even, informative tone and try to be as objective as possible.

LAYOUT ---

The case, being as gruesome as it is, is not given a lot of space in newspapers. They only breifly mention the situation, what happened, to whom, where, by whom, how etc. The news is covered completely professionally and journalists do not alow emotions to get in the way of reporting the matter. They only present what exists and nothing else.

HEADLINES ---

Print : Shraddha wrote to cops 2 years ago

Online: Shraddha Walkar Case: All that has happened so far

Broadcast: 'Acted in the heat of the moment'

History of Journalism in India and The role of Journalism in society

HISTORY OF JOURNALISM IN INDIA

India's journalism can be broadly divided into two categories: pre-independence journalism and post-independence journalism. The history of Indian journalism is particularly fascinating since it allows you to learn more about the backdrop or evolution that shaped Indian journalism into what it is today, rather than just looking at a list of notable activities or individuals in the Indian press. The history of Indian journalism was largely characterised by the fight against the British for India's independence. Unless otherwise specified, the struggle for independence of the Indian press was a struggle for India.

A summary of pre-independence journalism

Several censorship laws and actions by the British government against the British India press and media outlets characterised journalism in India's pre-independence era. Everyone had to follow distinct rules for the publication, dissemination, and circulation of news. The legislation were frequently repealed by the ruling bodies, but gradually they were replaced by new publications that examined every facet of the British raj, including its inadequacies and the injustices meted out to Indians. British citizens who attempted to publish the truth in newspapers were either imprisoned, heavily fined, or deported to England after having their licences revoked. Even death sentences were commuted for those who published criticisms of the administration.

People were inspired to rebel against British rule by vernacular newspapers like the Amrita Bazar Patrika. The Bengal Journal, Madras Courier, Bombay Herald, Calcutta Chronicle, and others were also widely read newspapers. After the Press Act was passed in 1910, the British government also gathered substantial sums in security and forfeitures. As a result of the uprisings and Indians' protests against British authority, several steps were made to regulate the media. Before word of the prisoner hunger strikes in India reached the general public, the situation was heavily suppressed and censored.

Additionally, journalists disseminated material covertly using unlawful techniques such hidden radio transmissions, graffiti, and cyclostyled sheets. These authors were primarily those whose works were suppressed by the British government.

An overview of journalism in the years following independence

After independence, various laws were implemented to liberalise the print media. Government officials like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, were ardent supporters of a freer press. According to him, having a "surprised or a regulated press" would be preferable to having a "free press with all the hazards associated with the incorrect use of freedom." On October 23, 1951, he passed the press undesirable issues legislation because he opposed the publication of news that would incite racial animosity and spiteful images.

Before the scenario changed into what is the norm in the nation now, a number of statutes were passed to protect the interests of the populace and the Indian press. Not just in journalism, but generally speaking, people have more freedom to express themselves while keeping an eye out for other people's rights. Of course, there are instances where people abuse the concept of freedom, in which case a nation's legal system can point them in the proper way. Indian journalism, in general, was a continual class between the people of the past and the sweat and blood of actual Indians, which brought about some degree of peace in Indian journalism.

The founder of Indian journalism was James Augustus Hicky.

The first newspaper in India was published in 1780 by a British named James Augustus Hicky under the name "Hicky's Bengal Gazette" or "the Original Calcutta General Advisor." As the pioneer of Indian journalism, he is well-known. The newspaper was filled with articles critical of Imperial diplomacy. The majority of the content was made up of adverts and was made up of British rumours and scandals without mentioning any specific individuals.

Hicky's Gazette ran for two years, from 1780 to 1782, before the East India company confiscated it for its provocative and outspoken tone. The first newspaper to be published in India came to an abrupt end as a result of this. James Augustus Hicky passed on in October 1802, having spent the remainder of his life in poverty and obscurity.

The European, James Silk Buckingham worked to establish a liberal press in India.

It is appropriate to bring up James Silk Buckingham when discussing Indian journalism. He was a British novelist who is highly regarded for his support of liberal and unafraid journalism. His 8-page fortnightly publication, the "Calcutta newspaper," was first made available in India in 1818 and cost one rupee. The daily includes articles on a variety of topics, including politics, literacy news, India, as well as adverts and editorials. The newspaper's debut edition was published on October 2nd, 1818.

James Buckingham fiercely decried the Sati system and the government's inability to do rid of it. He supported the identity and right to exist of the Indian press and was one of its friends. His newspaper was the earliest and most competent publication in pre-independent India, and he can legitimately be referred to as the country's first real journalist.

The function of Raja Ram Mohan in Indian journalism

In 1821, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a journalist and persistent social reformer, produced the first Bengali newspaper, Sambad kaumudi. The newspaper encouraged reading habits that Indians used as a primary forum for conversation and knowledge. It was a pro-reformist periodical that sought to end the Sati custom of burning widowed women alongside their husbands in the same fire. In addition, the newspaper criticised both British foreign policy and British behaviour towards Indians. Roy entered Indian journalism as another means of bringing about social change in Indian society.

Being a polyglot himself, he also started and published the Mirat-ul-Akbar magazine in Persian on April 12, 1822. Additionally, he communicated with India's senior decision-makers in Persian to notify them of events taking place in the nation. Due to the License Regulation Act, which forbade Indians from expressing anti-British attitudes, Mirat-ul-Akhbar shut down on April 4th, 1823. Roy also objected to the oppressive restrictions imposed by the British legislation.

ROLE OF JOURNALISM IN SOCIETY In India, a democracy, the media is considered the "fourth pillar" where the legislature, executive and judiciary are the other three pillars. The media plays a key role in the democratic life of the country's citizens because it informs people about socio-economic and political conditions. Media brings to the spotlight various concerns that need to be addressed and tries to bring us coverage of the events around the table. Mass media serves information even today in a process where entertainment is combined with an educational tool. It's called infotainment. The role of the press: News, information, updating and educational communication: The role of the press is mainly the transmission of information and news. Journalism can be of different types and a journalist can write or present different genres and styles. For example, a journalist can cover daily news, investigative news or write articles on various topics. Today's journalist can also write and present various things which may not be serious news or journalism and this is a genre called Lifestyle Journalism which is based on news about travel, food, luxury, clothes, cars, fashion, sex etc. A reporter might write about the environment or health. An editor can also be a content producer. The role of an intermediary: The role of a journalist is to inform, educate and be the voice of the people of the country. Although different genres of journalism are required, news journalism has an important role to play. A journalist must be a voice that acts as an intermediary between the people and the government. Journalists' agendas have led to discussion of important issues and decisions that support people's demands for justice. Although it has been doing this for years, times have changed and so have the designs. Role in Development and National Integration:

India's freedom struggle, is a bold story of immense courage. Although it started with the printing of Hicky's Bengal Gazette, it had a very difficult phase in the freedom struggle where various freedom fighters planted the spark of freedom struggle in the hearts of Indian citizens with the help of printed literature. The British wanted to ban this flourishing Indian press movement to promote the freedom struggle. However, it was not to be. Gradually India gained freedom. The press found its voice to speak for the people and development issues of the country. Reporters did not have to fear even in an emergency. Journalism therefore plays an important role as a catalyst for India's development aspirations, national integration and the struggle for justice. India, like many other countries, has a strong history. Role of Gatekeeper:

Gatekeeper is another problem which results in filtering a large amount of news from different parts of the country. While the print media remains a supreme source of news and information, gating meant that much of the news, especially from small towns, never made it to the national platform. Most of the news channels, except a handful, came to news desks with very little news about the needs of the people from across India. They have become political cauldrons where issues are discussed that avoid other more urgent issues that plague the country. The situation is not as bad as it seems when genuine journalists take to social networking forums to present the voice of truth.

Documentary review - Nero's Guest

NERO'S GUEST

Director - Deepa Bhatia

Cinematography - Amole Gole, Shanti Bhushan, Atul Hirde

Editor - Deepa Bhatia, Abhro Banerjee

Nero's guest is a documentary by Rural Affairs Editor and journalist, P. Sainath. It was released in the year 2009. It is a documentary based on the dramatic rise in farmer suicides in Vidarbha, Maharashtra.

The documentary covers the matter of Indian farmers and their crisis. After 5 and a half years of covering farmer suicides, P. Sainath says that he knows for sure who 'Nero's Guests' are.

Based on the documentary, 60% of people are still dependent on agriculture. 836 million Indians live on less than 50 cents (around 48INR) a day. Since 1977, nearly 20000 farmers have commited suicide due to debt and distress. And yet, mainstream media hardly reflects this reality.

In the documentary, P. Sainath and his team go around interviewing the families of farmers who have died. In one of these interviews, the victim was a father of 2 boys. The sons explain that their father had mortgage on lands, farmer's cooperative loans and bank loans to deal with and that drove him to take his own life. When asked if their mother had got any compensation from the government, they repied that they got none. It was the same story in most other interviews.

Back in 1988, the suicide rate was 1 per week. In 2002, it increased to 1 per day and now, everyday, in every district, 2 to 3 farmers died. The document also addressed the story of one particular farmer who was titled 'The progressive farmer of the year'. He was one to look down upon suicides and would advise his fellow farmers not to go down that path. He would tell them that things would get better. And yet, even his spirit was crushed, and he took his life in 2004.

The documentary vividly shows the ignorance of people by bringing in the matter of the Lakme India Fashion Week. Here were people displaying cotton garments, having 500 plus correspondents backing it, when, in the same state, an hour's flight away, the men and women who grew that cotton were taking their lives at the rate of 6 - 8 each day.

P. Sainath asks the other farmers how they have been affected. They explain that under the government's policy, the farming costs have increased while subsequently, the crops don't yeild returns. When asked if they get help from the government, they say that they get nothing. And the prices of pesticides and fertilizers and everything else only gets costlier.

P. Sainath, in the documentary, talks about the agrarian crises, how it is operationalized and what it acheives. He explains that for the first time in the 90s, in the history of the country, The Supreme Court has pulled up 6 states resurfacing since the 1943 Bengal famine. He says that in the last 15 years, the fastest growing sector in this country, is inequality, which has reached a new high since the colonialism. He expresses his frustration in this matter by telling us that the fastest growing and politically free media, is imprisoned by profit. The story about farmers doesn't bring in much profit, so they drop it and never let these farmers have their justice.

Due to his efforts and the efforts of the other journalists, several government officials and ministers began visiting Vidarbha. When the Prime Minister made his visit, the farmers finally got the nedia coverage that they deserved. The govt. introduced a loan waiver and announced 2 relief packages for the farmers.

P. Sainath illustrates this issue with the story of Nero. As the story goes, The Roman Emperor arranged a grand garden party for the elite. Everyone who was anyone came for the party. But there was a problem. The lighting at the party was faulty. So Nero solved it. He brought out criminals and prisoners and burnt them on stakes, to illuminate the party. And not a single guest uttered a word of protest. Sainath tells us that the real villian in this situation isn't Nero, but his guests. Those silent spectators, who carried on without batting an eye, are the true sinners.

Sainath concludes by saying that we should not be like those guests. His message can be interpreted to mean that, when we witness a wrong, we must have the courage to stand up and tell them that it is wrong.

Movie Review - Snowden

SNOWDEN

Director - Oliver Stone

Cast :

Edward Snowden - Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Lindsay Mills - Shailene Woodley

Corbin O'Brian - Rhys Ifans

Glenn Greenwald - Zachary Quinto

Ewen MacAskill - Tom Wilkinson

Laura Poitras - Melissa Leo

Snowden' is one of Oliver Stone's expertly made movies. It is a fairly tense drama with a few heartstopping moments. The movie follows the story of Edward Snowden -- a US intelligence analyst who exposed America's spying and data mining to the public in the year 2013. The film is based on a book by a Guardian journalist, Laura Poitras. While the movie was a sensation, it was no match for Laura Poitras's original documentary interveiw with Edward Snowden--Citizenfour.

The narration is done through a series of flashbacks that Snowden experiences during his time in the Hong Kong hotel room, being interveiwed by The Guardians journalists -- Ewen MacAskill (played by Tom Wilkinson), Glenn Greenwald (played by Zachary Quinto) and Laura Poitras (played by Melissa Leo).

Following his rejection by the army (due to fragile bones), Snowden had entered the intelligence empire, building business, dealing with counter cyber warfare and spying. He met Lindsay Mills, a photographer, through an online dating app and fell in love. Snowden is seen to be in good terms with spy cheif Corbin O'Brian (played by Rhys Ifans) initially, however, later on, conflicts arise between the two.

Snowden's execution of leaking the data was a great indication of his intelligence and cunning. But had he not gotten inside help from that one individual he had formerly worked with, Snowden would never have been able to carry out his plan.

The movie concludes on a good note, where Snowden speaks about his time working in intelligence and what drove him to expose the United States Government.

Snowden currenly resides in Russia along with Lindsay Mills.